Rick Perry’s new dark money group

A new dark money group aimed at helping Gov. Rick Perry lay the foundation for a another presidential run will debut Friday with more than $200,000 in leftover cash from a now-defunct Super PAC that raised millions for Perry’s failed 2012 bid.

The group is called Americans for Economic Freedom and will launch as a tax-exempt nonprofit set up under section 501(c)(4) of the tax code, a move that will permit donors to give unlimited contributions while remaining secret. (Keep in mind: Perry vetoed a dark money disclosure bill during the regular session).

A news release said the nonprofit was “created to advance economic policies at the state level that promote job growth, business development and economic expansion.” That lines up with the Texas-based economic message that Perry has been touting all over the country. Perry strategist Jeff Miller, a former major fundraiser for California Republicans, has been named CEO.

Unlike 501(c)(4)s, Super PACs are required to disclose donors and file regularly with the FEC. The anonymity afforded by the nonprofits has led to the creation of a bevy of the 501(c)(4)s, which tend to focus heavily on television advertising.

However, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups, which are designated as “social welfare organizations,” are required to report some of their activities to the FEC. When they run ads directly advocating for the election or defeat of a candidate, they have to tell regulators how much and what they spend money on — but not where the money comes from.